The results are in from the fourth annual MLB Pipeline Executive Poll, and the buzz around baseball’s next wave of stars is heating up. Front office decision-makers-ranging from general managers to farm directors and analysts-have cast their votes on who they believe will take home Rookie of the Year honors in 2026. And while a few names are already making headlines, one Dodgers prospect is quietly inching closer to the spotlight.
Zyhir Hope: A Name to Know
Zyhir Hope might not have topped the poll, but he’s clearly on the radar. The 19-year-old Dodgers outfielder received 4.7% of the vote, putting him in a three-way tie for fifth among National League prospects alongside Justin Crawford (Phillies) and Sal Stewart (Reds). That’s no small feat considering the talent pool he’s up against.
Leading the vote was St. Louis Cardinals infielder JJ Wetherholt, who pulled in 30.2%.
Right behind him was Mets two-way player Nolan McLean at 25.6%, followed by Pirates prospects Konnor Griffin (16.3%) and Bubba Chandler (7%). But make no mistake-Hope’s inclusion in this group speaks volumes about how he’s viewed inside front offices across the league.
A Trade That Keeps Paying Off
The Dodgers acquired Hope in a savvy move before the 2024 season, sending reliever Yency Almonte and infielder Michael Busch to the Cubs in exchange for Hope and lefty Jackson Ferris. At the time, it looked like a forward-thinking deal. Two years later, it’s looking like a potential steal.
Hope has done nothing but validate the hype. In 2025, he was the top vote-getter in MLB Pipeline’s breakout prospect poll-and then he went out and proved why.
Across 127 games split between High-A Great Lakes and Double-A Tulsa, Hope slashed .266/.376/.428. He racked up 29 doubles, 13 home runs, 80 RBI, and 27 stolen bases in 544 plate appearances.
That’s not just a solid season-it’s the kind of campaign that turns heads throughout the league.
Now ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the Dodgers’ farm system and No. 20 overall in baseball, Hope is knocking on the door. While he’s not expected to make his big league debut this season, he’s on track to reach Triple-A Oklahoma City for the first time-a crucial step in his development.
Making an Impression in Big League Camp
Hope already got a taste of the big league environment last spring, when he joined the Dodgers in Major League camp. And he didn’t just blend in-he stood out.
“Really good,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts when asked about Hope’s spring performance. “Zyhir, he’s one of those guys that obviously put himself on the radar last year.
We’re going to be hearing a lot more about him. If you can put together a young player with the makeup and skillset, he’s the guy.”
That’s high praise coming from a manager who’s seen his share of rising stars. And it’s a strong indicator that Hope is more than just a name on a prospect list-he’s a player the organization believes in.
What’s Next
Hope is expected to be back in big league camp this spring, and while he’s not projected to break camp with the Dodgers, every opportunity he gets at that level is another chance to accelerate his timeline. If he continues to produce at Triple-A the way he did in 2025, don’t be surprised if his name starts surfacing in call-up conversations sooner rather than later.
For now, he’s still a prospect. But in a system known for churning out Major League-ready talent, Zyhir Hope is doing everything right to make sure his name is one fans-and front offices-remember.